James Refsell, 1860-1926
REFSELL, PAULSON, OSHER
Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 3/10/2011 at 19:01:43
James Refsell occupies a fine home in Wallingford, where he is now living retired in the enjoyment of a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserved. He was long prominently connected with agricultural interests in Emmet county and is still the owner of valuable farming property. He was born in Norway, July 31, 1860, a son of Ole and Mary (Paulson) Refsell, who were likewise natives of that country, where they resided until 1866 and then came to the new world, establishing their home upon a farm in Emmet county, Iowa. Here their remaining days were passed, the father devoting his energies to the development and improvement of his land until his demise, which occurred March 2, 1895. His widow survived him for several years, passing away in October, 1900. In their family were four children, all of whom are yet living.
James Refsell was a little lad of but six years when brought by his family to the new world, so that he was largely reared and educated in Emmet county, attending its common schools. He remained at home until he attained his majority and through that period gained broad experience in the work of the fields, so that he was well qualified to begin farming on his own account when at the age of twenty-one he started out in business independently. He first rented a farm and made further arrangements for having a home of his own by his marriage in 1886 to Miss Annie Osher, who was born in Dane county, Wisconsin, a daughter of Nels and Ingeborg (Nordam) Osher, who were natives of Norway and in 1850 came to the United States, establishing their home in Wisconsin. Subsequently they removed to Emmet county, Iowa, and settled on a farm where they continued to reside until called to their final rest.
Subsequent to his marriage James Refsell purchased a farm in High Lake township on section 18, becoming owner of two hundred and forty acres of land which is now splendidly improved. With characteristic energy he began to develop that property and soon brought his fields to a high state of cultivation, receiving therefrom a substantial annual income. Year after year he gathered good crops and in time acquired a very substantial competence. He lived upon that first farm until 1900, when he sold the property and invested in two hundred and forty acres on section 16, Twelve Mile Lake township. This is also finely improved property and he occupied it for two years. He then bought another farm on section 1 of the same township, comprising one hundred and eighty seven acres of rich land which he still owns. His attention was given to its further development and improvement until 1915, when he retired and erected a fine residence in Wallingford, which he now owns and occupies, being there pleasantly situated. He was one of the organizers of the Farmer's Savings Bank, of which he is now the president, and his financial interest in that institution contributes to his success, as does the farm, from which he derives a gratifying annual income.
Mr. and Mrs. Refsell are the parents of two children: Emma, at home, and O. N. The son is a graduate of the Lutheran College at Red Wing, Minnesota, also of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Chicago ad is now a professor in Jewell, Iowa.
Mr. Refsell is a stanch supporter of the republican party and keeps well informed on the questions and issues of the day. He has served as township trustee but otherwise has not sought nor desired office. He and his wife are members of the Lutheran church and take an active part in its work, doing all in their power to advance the moral progress as well as the material development of the community. Mr. Refsell is truly a self-made ma and has become one of the prosperous residents of Emmet county.
Source: History of Emmet County and Dickinson County Iowa: A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, The Pioneer Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, 1917.
Interment in Wallingford cemetery
Emmet Biographies maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
WebBBS 4.33 Genealogy Modification Package by WebJourneymen